May 25, 2021


Dear Community Partner:
 
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Following our standing weekly call, we continue to share important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications which can be found on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page. 
 
COVID-19 Vaccination Updates

A new vaccine center is opening at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. Sites will be located in the stadium and across the street in the space that previously housed the now closed Modell's. These sites will remain open throughout the Nets playoff run.
 
NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses continue to provide vaccines in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. The full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found at on.nyc.gov/walkupvax. Walk-ups are welcome and you can also book in advance through the Vax4NYC website.
 
As a reminder, New Yorkers ages 12 years and older can continue to receive their COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment at select sites across NYC. Sites can be found here. New Yorkers are required to provide proof of age and residency in order to receive the vaccine. Additional information can be found here.
 
While walk-up vaccines are available at City operated vaccination sites, appointments can still be made by using vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.
 
The in-home vaccination program is continuing. Homebound New Yorkers interested in receiving an in-home vaccination can sign up at nyc.gov/homebound or by calling 1-877-VAX-4-NYC.

COVID-19 Testing
 
Free testing continues to be available throughout the five boroughs. A schedule of mobile testing locations throughout the City as well as detailed information on locations and types of testing offered at regular testing sites (including rapid testing and antibody tests) can be found here. Locations of testing sites can also be accessed by texting “COVID TEST” to 855-48. These are no cost testing sites open to all New Yorkers.
 
The Test-and-Trace corps offers the COVID 19 Wait Times Dashboard, which displays estimated wait times for NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing locations. This wait time information is updated by site staff every two hours.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
 
State OTDA has posted information on its website regarding the ERAP program which will be opening imminently. The website includes information on eligibility, priority applications, benefits, and application information
 
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Component Flyer
 
The State OTDA has created a new outreach flyer to promote the HEAP Cooling Assistance Component. The flyer briefly outlines eligibility guidelines and provides information on how to apply. Please share the flyer widely with potentially eligible clients and constituents. The new flyer can be found here.
 
Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Office/Section 8 Vouchers
 
Starting on May 3, 2021, HPD’s Division of Tenant Resources’ Client Services office at 100 Gold Street has re-opened by appointment only. Appointments will be scheduled only when business may not be handled virtually or by phone. The most efficient way to reach HPD staff is by using email. Follow this link for HPD staff email addresses.
 
HPD has extended voucher terms:
  • Applicants and participant movers with vouchers that expired during the pandemic have been mailed notice of their extensions. Any Section 8 voucher holders with questions or concerns about their voucher status should reach out to the Division of Tenant Resources (DTR) at DTRInitials@hpd.nyc.gov.
  • Clients who need more time should submit a request for an extension within 30 days of their voucher expiration date. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
  • The Extension Request form may be uploaded to the DTR Portal or emailed to DTRInitials@hpd.nyc.gov for applicants or Portability@hpd.nyc.gov for participants that are moving or porting with their voucher.
 
Child Tax Credit (CTC) 2021
 
As we have shared previously, for tax year 2021, families claiming the Child Tax Credit (CTC) will receive up to $3,000 per qualifying child between the ages of 6 and 17 at the end of 2021. They will receive $3,600 per qualifying child under age 6 at the end of 2021. Under the prior law, the amount of the CTC was up to $2,000 per qualifying child under the age of 17 at the end of the year.
 
The increased amounts are reduced (phased out), for incomes over $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return and qualifying widows or widowers, $112,500 for heads of household, and $75,000 for all other taxpayers.
 
Advance payments of the 2021 Child Tax Credit will be made regularly from July through December to eligible taxpayers who have a main home in the United States for more than half of the year. The total of the advance payments will be up to 50 percent of the Child Tax Credit. Advance payments will be estimated from information included in eligible taxpayers' 2020 tax returns (or their 2019 returns if the 2020 returns are not filed and processed yet).
 
The IRS urges people with children to file their 2020 tax returns as soon as possible to make sure they're eligible for the appropriate amount of the CTC as well as any other tax credits they're eligible for, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Filing electronically with direct deposit also can speed refunds and future advance CTC payments.
 
For those who have not filed taxes, the IRS will be sharing information on how to register for the CTC payments. The previous non-filer tool used by the IRS for individuals who did not file taxes to receive Economic Impact Payments is now closed. We will share additional information as soon as it is available.
 
Information is regularly updated on the IRS website.
 
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has additional resources for those who need assistance accessing these and other tax credits. More information can be found on this factsheet and on their website.
 
Economic Impact Payment (EIP)
 
The former IRS non-filer tool is no longer available. As such, individuals who do not normally file a return will need to file a 2020 tax return to receive the Economic Impact Payment (EIP).

Important information about the third round of economic impact payments can be found here.

Individuals and families who did not receive the first two EIP payments can still qualify for those payments when they file their 2020 return by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit. There is a special section on IRS.gov that can provide help: Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you are not required to file a tax return.

Individuals experiencing homelessness are eligible for all three rounds of EIP and will need to file a tax return in order to receive the payments. Services are available through NYC Free Tax Prep. Both a valid form of ID and SSN/ITIN are required. (Acceptable forms of ID include: a driver’s license, IDNYC, DHS/shelter ID, State ID, employer ID, school ID, military ID, national ID, visa, or passport).

More people qualify for the 3rd EIP than for earlier payments. Here’s what is different:
  • Payment amounts. Most families will get $1,400 per person, including all eligible dependents claimed on their tax return.
  • Qualifying dependents. Not restricted to children under 17. Eligible individuals will get a payment based on all their qualifying dependents claimed on their return.
  • Taxpayers who file using an ITIN may be eligible to receive a third payment for their qualifying dependent. Up to $1,400 per qualified dependent who has a valid SSN can be received if the taxpayer does not have a valid SSN but meets all the other eligibility and income requirements.

Getting the payment
  • The IRS will use available information to determine eligibility and issue the 3rd payment to eligible people who:
  • Filed a 2020 tax return
  • Filed a 2019 tax return if the 2020 tax return has not been submitted or processed yet
  • Did not file a 2020 or 2019 tax return but registered for the first EIP payment with the Non-Filers tool in 2020
  • Are federal benefit recipients who do not usually file a tax return.
 
NOTE:  If none of the above applies, the individual will need to file a 2020 federal tax return.

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
 
The American Rescue Plan expands the size of the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Parents are eligible for this tax credit if they needed care for any child under age 13 or a dependent with a disability of any age while working or looking for work. This includes any amount paid (full or co-pay) for center-based child care, babysitter care, summer camp, or care by adult relatives outside of the tax household. ITIN holders, including immigrant families with children born in the U.S. with a social security number, are eligible to receive this credit.

Families should keep records of their child care expenses to report on their 2021 tax returns. Even those who do not owe taxes should file because the credit will be fully refundable.
 
Funeral Assistance Fact Sheet
 
The NYC Dept of Health has created a fact sheet to navigate the process of applying for and receiving funeral assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) and the NYC Human Resource Administration COVID-19 Burial Assistance. The flyer can be accessed here, and is available in additional languages here. 
 
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Waitlist Lottery
 
As we reported last week, the Section 8 Waitlist Lottery for New York State Homes & Community Renewal's New York City vouchers is open for applications from May 17th through May 28th, 2021. 
 
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) operates a federally funded Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in New York City. Income eligible applicants are selected to receive a voucher through a waitlist. That voucher provides a subsidy to ensure that recipients do not pay more than 30% of their adjusted gross income towards housing costs. 
 
Applicants will be able to apply using an online portal on HCR’s website during the application period. A call center will be available to assist applicants. HCR will also be initiating an extensive and wide-ranging advertising campaign. Applying does not guarantee a voucher. HCR will select 15,000 households for the waitlist through a lottery. Those selected for the waitlist will be offered a voucher as one becomes available and will be subject to additional eligibility screening. There will be a preference for households experiencing homelessness/at risk households.
 
Excelsior Scholarship Program
 
On May 19, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the application for the Excelsior Scholarship for the 2021-22 academic school year is now open here and applications will be accepted through August 31, 2021. The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other aid programs, allows eligible full-time students to attend a SUNY or CUNY two-year or four-year college tuition-free. 


Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit
 
As of May 12, 2021, qualified New York City residents may be eligible to receive a temporary discount for current or new monthly internet service subscriptions. This discount is available as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), a $3.2 billion-dollar short-term emergency subsidy program during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
Funds will be allocated to qualifying households on a first-come, first-serve basis for as long as funds last.
 
Eligible New York City residents can receive: 
  • Monthly Benefit: a discount of up to $50/month for broadband service, equipment, and device rentals.
  • One-time Device Discount: up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of $10 - $50), where available.
 
To learn more on how to sign up, visit the USAC website or call 833-511-0311. Additional information can also be found at the City’s website.
 
Community-wide Conference Call

We appreciate your continued participation in our weekly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information and details about changes we are making in response to the pandemic are being communicated to our clients. Your active engagement is appreciated, and your questions and suggestions help us better understand the needs of those we serve and respond accordingly. 

If you were not able to join our weekly call (usually on Tuesdays), please find an audio recording here and use Covid-19 as the password The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what was shared as well as new developments.

Each week, we will provide all of the information included in each of our prior communications on our website on the COVID-19 Community Updates page. If you would like to reference a specific prior communication, links to each of the prior communications can be found on the community updates page.
 
As a reminder, we have a standing informational call on Tuesdays at 4:00PM. In the event that the date or time of the weekly call needs to change due to extenuating circumstances, a notification is sent out from DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov, in addition to an updated calendar invitation to those who have signed up to join the calls. To be added to this list, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.

Please note that there are several hundred participants on these weekly calls, and as a result they may start a few minutes late to allow as many people to join as possible and hear all the information. In addition, the large number of participants does not allow us to have individual conversations efficiently, which is why we respond to individual inquiries through the chat box. If you have additional questions after the call, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov or the appropriate contact area listed on our COVID 19 Community Updates page.

CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is available during these calls as an accommodation for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Please contact oria@dss.nyc.gov at least four hours prior to the call to enable this service.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership in serving New Yorkers in need, particularly now when our clients need us more than ever. If you have any questions or concerns about the changes we have made and are continuing to develop to address the COVID pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.


Sincerely,


Steven Banks
DSS Commissioner
New York City Department of Social Services